Abstract

Integrative Assessment of Body Composition and Micronutrient Status in an Adult Egyptian Population: A Functional and Biochemical Approach

Obesity and metabolic dysfunction are increasingly recognized as heterogeneous conditions that cannot be sufficiently characterized by body mass index (BMI) alone. Alterations in body composition, particularly central adiposity and skeletal muscle mass, may coexist with micronutrient imbalances even among individuals who fall outside conventional BMI-based obesity classifications. In clinical settings, such metabolic vulnerability is frequently accompanied by non-specific functional symptoms, highlighting the need for integrative assessment approaches that extend beyond weight-centered metrics. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the associations between micronutrient status and detailed body composition parameters in an adult population, using a combined assessment framework that integrates circulating plasma biomarkers, non-invasive tissue mineral evaluation, and bioelectrical impedance–derived body composition analysis. Plasma concentrations of iron, zinc, copper, and vitamin D were measured, alongside tissue-based micronutrient assessment using non- invasive optical spectroscopy (So-Check®). Body composition parameters, including waist circumference, visceral adiposity, fat mass, and skeletal muscle mass, were assessed using standardized anthropometric  methods and bioelectrical impedance analysis. Correlation and multivariate analyses were performed to examine relationships between plasma and tissue-based micronutrient measurements, as well as their associations with body composition indicators relevant to early metabolic risk. The analysis revealed differential associations between micronutrient status and body composition parameters beyond BMI. Measures of central adiposity and skeletal muscle mass showed more frequent and consistent associations with selected micronutrients compared to BMI-based classifications. Notably, partial concordance was observed between tissue-based and plasma vitamin D measurements, supporting the complementary value of combined assessment modalities. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of integrating micronutrient evaluation with detailed body composition analysis to better characterize metabolic vulnerability beyond traditional weight-based classifications. The findings support a nutrition-focused, functional perspective on metabolic health and provide a foundation for future longitudinal and interventional studies exploring micronutrient-targeted strategies for metabolic risk reduction.

School

School of Sciences and Engineering

Department

Chemistry Department

Degree Name

MS in Chemistry

Graduation Date

Spring 6-15-2026

Submission Date

2-12-2026

First Advisor

Dr. Anwar Abdelnaser

Second Advisor

Dr. Tamer Shoeib

Committee Member 1

Dr Hatem Tallima

Committee Member 2

Dr. Fayrouz Ashour

Committee Member 3

Dr. Naglaa Saad

Extent

141p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Approval has been obtained for this item

Disclosure of AI Use

Data/results generation and/or analysis

Download

Share

COinS